Crackdown on illegal animal trade sees 20 adorable puppies rescued

28/07/16 Terrier Pups, , part of a batch of 20 illegally exported pups which were seized in Scotland and returned to Ireland last night . They are currently in DSPCA HQ in Dublin..Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

DSPCA workers are treating total of 20 puppies and an adult dog who were rescued as part of a crackdown on the illegal animal trade between Ireland and the UK.

A smuggler was trying to flog the animals for €500-a-head, transporting them from the Republic into Scotland.

Gillian Bird of the DSPCA told The Irish Mirror: “This problem is huge.

“And it’s a lot to try and stop every single shipment. It involves a lot of looking online, who’s buying and who’s selling.”

28/07/16 A Chihuahua mother and her two pups , part of a batch of 20 illegally exported pups which were seized in Scotland and returned to Ireland last night . They are currently in DSPCA HQ in Dublin..Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

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The Scottish SPCA seized the dogs in a raid at Cairnryan port on Wednesday evening.

It was part of Operation Delphin, a collaboration between multiple organisations across Ireland and the UK.

The puppies, who originated in Ireland, were brought to Belfast to be cared for by the Ulster SPCA before being brought to Dublin SPCA vets, who were yesterday caring for them at their rescue centre in Rathfarnham.

Ms Bird added: “The suspect behind this shipment had been under surveillance for weeks, going online to deal in the puppy trade.

“This particular case is believed to have been selling the puppies at €500 each.”

28/07/16 Cavalier bichon pups , part of a batch of 20 illegally exported pups which were seized in Scotland and returned to Ireland last night . They are currently in DSPCA HQ in Dublin..Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

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The pets found were a mix of breeds such as pomeranians, cavachons, small terriers and chihuahuas, none of them older than a few weeks.

The animals were also found to have no record of vaccinations, microchips or the compulsory pet passports.

They were also infected with parasites such as worms, which the Dublin team is now treating.

They will remain within the DSCPA’s foster care until they are properly treated and then will be up for adoption and rehoming.

28/07/16 Pomeranian pups , part of a batch of 20 illegally exported pups which were seized in Scotland and returned to Ireland last night . They are currently in DSPCA HQ in Dublin..Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.